Time-dependent gas holdup variation in an air-water bubble column

Time-dependent gas holdup variation in a two-phase bubble column is reported with air and tap water as the working fluids. The results indicate that time-dependent gas holdup is closely related to the water, whose quality is unsteady and changes, not only during the two-phase flow, but also during idle periods. The significance and characteristics of the time-dependent gas holdup variation are influenced by the bubble column operation mode (cocurrent or semi-batch), the sparger orientation, the superficial gas velocity, and the superficial liquid velocity. It is proposed that a volatile substance (VS), which exists in the water in very small concentrations and inhibits bubble coalescence, evaporates during column operation and results in a time-dependent gas holdup. The influence of bubble column operation mode, sparger orientation, superficial gas velocity, and superficial liquid velocity on the time-dependent gas holdup variation are explained based on their effects on bubble size, bubble contacting frequency and mixing intensity. This work reveals that regular tap water may cause significant reproducibility problems in experimental studies of air-water two-phase flows.     

Bubble characteristics in shallow bubble column reactors

The bubble characteristics have been investigated in an air–water bubble column with shallow bed heights. The effect of bed height, location and the presence of solids on the bubble size, bubble rise velocity and overall and sectional gas holdup are studied over a range of superficial gas velocities. Optimal shallow bed operation relies on the combined entrance and exit effects at the distributor and the liquid bed surface. The gas holdup is found to decrease with an increase in H/D ratio but the effect is diminishing at high H/D ratios. A H/D ratio of 2–4 is found to be suitable for shallow bed operation. The presence of solids causes the formation of larger bubbles at the distributor and the effect is diminishing as the gas velocity is increased.     

Radial Profiles of Gas Bubble Behavior in a Gas‐Liquid Bubble Column Reactor under Elevated Pressures

The effects of operating conditions on radial variation of gas holdups, bubble swarm rising velocity, and Sauter mean diameter were investigated in a bubble column reactor under elevated pressures using a conductivity probe method. Air served as gas phase and tap water as liquid phase with varying gas velocity and pressure. All three parameters increased constantly with higher superficial gas velocity. Maximum holdup, velocity, and Sauter mean diameter were found at the center of the cross section. Two different cases for Sauter mean diameter distribution were observed. The gas holdups increase continuously with higher system pressure, but decrease for bubble swarm rising velocity and Sauter mean diameter. According to experimental results, an empirical correlation of the gas holdup profiles is presented.     

Experimental and numerical investigations of scale-up effects on the hydrodynamics of slurry bubble columns

Experiments and simulations were conducted for bubble columns with diameter of 0.2 m(180 mm i.d.), 0.5 m(476 mm i.d.) and 0.8 m(760 mm i.d.) at high superficial gas velocities(0.12–0.62 m·s-1) and high solid concentrations(0–30 vol%). Radial profiles of time-averaged gas holdup, axial liquid velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy were measured by using in-house developed conductivity probes and Pavlov tubes. Effects of column diameter, superficial gas velocity, and solid concentration were investigated in a wide range of operating conditions. Experimental results indicated that the average gas holdup remarkably increases with superficial gas velocity, and the radial profiles of investigated flow properties become steeper at high superficial gas velocities. The axial liquid velocities significantly increase with the growth of the column size, whereas the gas holdup was slightly affected. The presence of solid in bubble columns would inhibit the breakage of bubbles, which results in an increase in bubble rise velocity and a decrease in gas holdup, but time-averaged axial liquid velocities remain almost the same as that of the hollow column. Furthermore, a 2-D axisymmetric k–ε model was used to simulate heterogeneous bubbly flow using commercial code FLUENT 6.2. The lateral lift force and the turbulent diffusion force were introduced for the determination of gas holdup profiles and the effects of solid concentration were considered as the variation of average bubble diameter in the model. Results predicted by the CFD simulation showed good agreement with experimental data.     

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF GAS HOLDUP IN TWO-PHASE BUBBLE COLUMNS WITH FOAMING LIQUIDS

Gas-liquid upward flow experiments have been performed in two bubble columns of different diameters (0.10 and 0.29 m,) using air as gas phase and several liquids: water, aqueous solutions of ethanol and glycerine, kerosene, and a solution of a surfactant in kerosene. The main goal of the study is the analysis of foaming systems, including the comparison of their behavior with respect to non-foaming systems. The gas holdup was determined experimentally as a function of the gas and liquid superficial velocities in bubbling, churn-turbulent and foaming regimes. It was found that, for foaming systems, semi-batch operation enhances foam formation, yielding higher holdups than those obtained in continuous operation at very low liquid velocities. Opposite to what is observed in non-foaming systems, the liquid superficial velocity affects the gas holdup appreciably in foaming systems. An increase in column diameter results in a decrease in gas holdup for all the systems studied. In aqueous foaming systems, this trend is more drastic since foam is inhibited as the column diameter increases.     

X-ray computed tomography in large bubble columns

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is used to explore the differences in a semi-batch bubble column operated at superficial gas velocities of U_g=3, 10, and 18 cm/s. Air-water or air-water-cellulose fiber systems comprise the multiphase flow, and the bubble column has a 32.1 cm internal diameter. A CT image of a phantom object composed of several air-filled tubes immersed in water is used to identify several characteristic features of the X-ray CT system. CT images are then compared between air-water and air-water-cellulose fiber systems. When the fiber mass fraction is 0.1%, gas holdup is slightly higher than that of the air-water system in the column center and near the column wall. In 1.0% cellulose fiber slurries, gas holdup is lower than that of air-water results at all radial positions.     

Analysis of bubble behaviors in bubble columns using electrical resistance tomography

The distribution of gas holdup, the rise velocity of gas bubble swarm and the Sauter mean bubble size are estimated with a small diameter laboratory scale bubble column using electrical resistance tomography (ERT). The theory of gas disengagement based on ERT methods has been developed for estimations of bubble size and bubble rise velocity. The gas holdups of large bubble swarm and small bubble swarm, the distribution of both bubble size are derived through the analysis of gas disengagement based on the differences of the rise velocity of bubble swarm at the cross-section imaged by electrical resistance tomography. Experimental results are in very good agreement with correlations and conventional estimation obtained using pressure transmitter methods. The proposed methodology can be also used as an analysis tool for quantifying and optimizing the performance of other types of complex reaction systems.     

Influence of coalescence behaviour of the liquid and of gas sparging on hydrodynamics and bubble characteristics in a bubble column

This experimental study is aimed at investigating the effect of liquid phase properties and gas distribution on bubble and hydrodynamic characteristics in bubble columns. With the various measuring techniques used, systematic measurements of bubble size, velocity and frequency and gas hold-up are possible. Bubble size distribution and shape factors which are rarely found in literature, are also available. Water–alcohol solutions are used to simulate the behaviour of industrial non-coalescing organic mixtures. The experimental results obtained with three different spargers in the coalescence inhibiting solutions are compared with data on standard coalescing air–water system. Evolutions of bubble characteristics and gas hold-up have been interpreted successfully by considering the simultaneous influence of the hydrodynamic regime of the gas–liquid flow and of the operating regime of the distributor. It has also been put into evidence that bubble frequency measurements are good tools to evaluate distributor efficiency. The influence of the distributor has been shown to be enhanced in non-coalescing media. Bubble shape and bubble size distributions are dramatically modified by addition of minute quantities of alcohol in water. Bimodal distributions can be observed even in the homogeneous regime with orifice nozzle spargers.     

Analysis of gas holdup in bubble columns with non-Newtonian fluid using electrical resistance tomography and dynamic gas disengagement technique

This paper presents an experimental analysis of the influence of the liquid rheology on the gas flow pattern in a bubble column reactor. Aqueous solutions of xanthan are selected as an example of non-Newtonian shear thinning fluid. Averaged gas holdup is determined by two experimental techniques: parietal pressure probes and electrical resistance tomography (ERT). ERT is also used to provide 2D images of the gas phase distribution in a column cross-section. Bubble size distributions are evaluated by a gas disengagement technique using the parietal pressure probes. All these techniques clearly show the gas flow pattern is different in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Gas holdup values decrease when increasing the liquid viscosity and reach a minimum or a plateau. Homogeneous flow regime, observed in water at low gas velocities, tends to disappear when viscosity increases. This evolution is visualized by a much less isotropic distribution of the gas phase within cross-section of the column and by the appearance of much larger bubbles due to an increased coalescence phenomenon.     

A study of the bubble properties in the column flotation system

The bubble properties in the column flotation system are deeply affected by the bubble-generator type, frother dosage, and superficial gas velocity. This study is to determine the bubble-generator type, which effectively produces micro-bubbles to affect the flotation efficiency. Characteristics for two types of bubble generators like the in-line mixer and sparger are examined by bubble properties such as bubble diameter, holdup and bubble velocity. Micro bubbles generated from an in-line mixer result in the increase of the bubble rising velocity and gas holdup. Bubbles produced at the in-line mixer were more effective for operating the flotation system than that of the sparger. It means that the in-line mixer bubble generator is more effective than a sparger in designing or operating the column flotation system.     

Effect of liquid properties on the performance of bubble column reactors with fine pore spargers

This work is a study of the effect of liquid properties on the performance of bubble column reactors with fine pore spargers. Various liquids covering a range of surface tension and viscosity values are employed, while the gas phase is atmospheric air. A fast video technique is used for visual observations and, combined with image processing, is used for gas holdup and bubble size measurements. New data on average gas holdup values, bubble size distributions and Sauter diameters are presented and are consistent with existing physical models on coalescence/breakage. A correlation based on dimensionless groups for the prediction of gas holdup in the homogeneous regime is proposed and found to be in good agreement with available data.     

Effect of gas distributor on hydrodynamics in shallow bubble column reactors

The effects of gas distributor on hydrodynamics in an air–water shallow bubble column reactor are investigated. Three types of distributors, namely, single nozzle, perforated plate and porous plate are being studied. The overall gas holdup, bubble size distributions and bubble rise velocity distributions are studied over a range of superficial gas velocities. The results show that single nozzle is not suitable for shallow bed operation. While perforated plate and porous plate distributors have comparable behaviour in the absence of solids, the addition of solids particles causes the two distributors to behaviour differently. The presence of solids promotes bubble coalescence for perforated plate distributor while the same inhibits bubble coalescence for porous plate distributor.     

Improved gas holdup in novel bubble column

This investigation reports the experimental and theoretical results carried out to evaluate the gas holdup for air–water system in a novel hybrid rotating and reciprocating perforated plate bubble column under countercurrent condition. The response of this hybrid column is found to be similar to that of reciprocating plate column (RPC) showing mixer‐settler, transition, and emulsion regions. The effect of agitation level, superficial gas velocity, superficial liquid velocity, perforation diameter, and plate spacing on gas holdup is studied and found to be significant. The gas holdup is found to be least in the range of agitation level of 1.3–1.5 cm/s. For all the superficial gas and liquid velocities considered in this present investigation, the critical agitation level at minimum gas holdup remains nearly same. The gas holdup in this hybrid column is 1.2–1.7 times higher in mixer‐settler region and 2.1–2.7 times higher in emulsion region than that of RPC. Correlations have been developed and found to concur with the experimental values. It can be used with 95% accuracy. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Development of airlift bubble column dispersed with micro‐bubbles

Micro‐bubbles were dispersed in the bubble column with draft tube, and the length and diameter of draft tube were changed. The flow characteristics in air–water system were measured. Ozone gas and methylene‐blue aqueous solution were used, and the decomposition performance was examined. With increasing draft tube length, both the gas holdup and liquid velocity in the annular section increased. When the diameter ratio of draft tube to column was about 0.5, both the gas holdup and liquid circulation flow rate had maxima. For the decomposition by using ozone, the installation of draft tube enhanced the mass transfer and decomposition performance.     

EFFECT OF OPERATING CONDITIONS ON GAS HOLDUP IN SLURRY BUBBLE COLUMNS WITH A FOAMING LIQUID

This work presents experimental data on gas holdup in slurry bubble columns with a foaming liquid. The effects of solids concentration, solid particle size, superficial phase velocities and column dimensions on the gas holdup are analyzed. At low superficial gas velocities (less than 4cm/s), for which the liquid does not foam, the presence of solids with small particle size does not affect the gas holdup whereas solids with large particle size induce foam formation and thus their presence increases the gas holdup. In the foaming regime, an increase of solids concentration decreases the gas holdup. The operating mode has a strong effect on the gas holdup: the semi-batch operating mode (stagnant liquid-solid suspension) increases the ability of the liquid to foam with respect to the continuous mode. Regarding the effect of column dimensions, the results presented show that the height of the bubble column does not affect at an appreciable extent the gas holdup in the range 6 < LID < 12. At high gas velocities (greater than 6 cm/s) the gas holdups obtained in a 30 cm-internal diameter column are the same as those measured in a 10 cm-internal diameter column.     

鼓泡反应器中幂律型流体流动与传质特性

很多废水处理装置涉及非牛顿型流体中的多相流动和传质问题,研究其中的气液传质过程有助于实现装置的优化设计和高效节能运行。以鼓泡反应器内清水和不同质量分数的羧甲基纤维素钠（CMC）水溶液为实验对象,分别研究气相表观气速和液相流变特性对气泡尺寸分布、全局气含率和体积氧传质系数的影响。实验结果表明,液相的流变特性对其传质特性参数均有较大影响。与清水相比,CMC水溶液中气泡平均直径和分布范围更大;清水和CMC水溶液的全局气含率均随表观气速的增加而增大;CMC水溶液的体积氧传质系数随CMC水溶液质量分数的增加而减小。基于实验研究,得出修正的体积氧传质系数公式和适用于幂律型非牛顿流体流动体系氧传递过程的无量纲关联式,可很好地实现非牛顿流体流动的废水处理装置中气液传质参数的计算。     

The investigation of gas holdup distribution in a two-phase bubble column using ultrasonic computed tomography

In this study, time-averaged gas holdup distributions were investigated in a 16 cm diameter bubble column for two-phase dispersed system of air–water and air–glycerol solution of 10 wt% by using ultrasonic computed tomography (UCT). A quantitative result of UCT – as a coupling of the ultrasonic transmission method and the iterative filtered backprojection (IFBP) image reconstruction technique – is presented. The UCT results are in a good agreement with those by the bed expansion method. A higher gas holdup in the air–glycerol 10 wt% solution than in the air–water system was observed. The distribution of gas holdup in the column with an attached baffle is also investigated by UCT.     

鼓泡塔中气泡尺寸分布和局部气含率研究

在内径为0.38 m的鼓泡塔中采用双电导探针法对不同通气速率下的气泡尺寸分布和局部气含率进行了实验研究,分析了气泡尺寸的概率密度分布。结果表明:气泡尺寸随轴向高度的增加而增大,随径向距离增加而减小;鼓泡塔中气液流动可分为过渡流域和充分发展流域,在过渡流域气含率随轴向高度增加而增大,在充分发展流域气含率趋于均值,径向局部气含率分布呈抛物线型下降。高气速下气泡尺寸概率密度分布比低气速下宽,且随轴向高度的增加分布变宽。     

Hydrodynamics and simulation of air–water homogeneous bubble column under elevated pressure

A gas–liquid Eulerian computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled with a population balance equation (PBE) was presented to investigate hydrodynamics of an air–water bubble column (1.8 m in height and 0.1 m in inner diameter) under elevated pressure in terms of pressure drop, gas holdup, mean bubble size, and bubble surface area. The CFD-PBE model was modified with three pressure correction factors to predict both the total gas holdup and the mean bubble size in the homogeneous bubbly flow regime. The three correction factors were optimized compared to experimental data. Increasing the pressure led to increasing the density, reducing the bubble size, and increasing the gas holdup. The bubble size distribution moved toward a smaller bubble size, as the pressure increased. The modified CFD-PBE model validated with experimental data and empirical models represented well hydrodynamics of the bubble column at P = 0.1, 1.5, and 3.5 MPa.